Relationships — Your Business Relies on Them


Design Clarity Weekly

Helping Design Professionals Streamline, Simplify & Succeed

Hey Lovely!

There are a lot of moving parts in our design business. Mishaps will happen—it’s inevitable. What sets you apart isn’t whether everything always goes perfectly (spoiler: it won’t), but how you respond. The way we treat our vendors, trades, and clients in those moments says more about us than the wins.

Strong, respectful, solution-oriented relationships are the foundation of a business that grows with ease and resilience.

Now, let’s dive in! 🚀

Tips, Tools & Takeaways for Designers

3 Tips: Strengthening Relationships in Your Business

Respond vs. React
Take a pause before sending that email or making that call. A thoughtful response preserves trust far more than a reactive outburst.

Collaborate on Solutions
Instead of pointing fingers, ask: How do we solve this together? This mindset turns vendors and trades into long-term partners, not just one-time resources.

Audit Your SOPs
Every hiccup is an opportunity to refine your systems. Where did communication break down? Which step needs more clarity? Document the fix so it doesn’t happen again.

2 Resources to Check Out

📌 Tool: Loom – record a quick video to walk through changes or next steps. Sometimes tone and clarity land better face-to-face (even virtually).

📌 Book: The Speed of Trust by Stephen M. R. Covey – a reminder that trust accelerates everything in business.

1 Question for You

🤔 How can I strengthen one key relationship this week—with a client, vendor, or trade—that will make future projects smoother? Hit reply and let me know—I’d love to offer support! Or send me a question and I'll answer it in next week's newsletter!

Want More Support?

Your systems and support structures are the backbone of strong relationships. If you’re ready to streamline how you communicate with vendors, clients, and trades—or need an extra set of hands to get your SOPs in order—my Virtual Design Support Hours are here for you. Flexible, efficient, and tailored to your business. Book a free strategy call with me here.

Here’s to more ease, balance, and joy in your business and life! 💛

Warmly,
Marsha

600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
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The Design Clarity Weekly

Sent every Friday, this quick 5-minute read is packed with actionable tips to help you streamline your design business. Written by Marsha Sefcik, a trusted business strategist for design professionals, you'll learn how to simplify workflows, master client onboarding, and improve your design-related copy. Join hundreds of design professionals who already benefit from this free, weekly resource!

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